#『 interactions : bren. 』

[hello-eeveev]

you wanna know what’s so funny is that we’re all like “omg Essek could NOT shut up about Caleb 🥺💕” but like. he absolutely can.

the only times Essek brought up Caleb unprompted/without relevance to the discussion at hand were gesundheit and nighttime sendings lol. of the four uses of the phrase “my partner,” one is an off-handed mention as part of a clarification (“I have not been following the Assembly’s threads; that was more my partner’s purview.”) and the last three all happen in the span of four minutes before Essek exits the episode.

the problem is that within those last four minutes, Essek hit us with

1) showing off a zemnian phrase he learned from Caleb,

2) “he is kind. and he is smart. and he is so strong,” said with such conviction and pride and love that I don’t think I’ll ever recover, and

3) leaving the crafting party to chat with Caleb before bed

which was just. a lot. it was so much and it was so good. so much concentrated shadowgast in those four minutes

this whole ship is built on layered conversations and implications and skirting the obvious (with the exception of the last two minutes of m9 reunited) so to give us four whole minutes of Essek boasting about Caleb, praising Caleb, wanting to go talk to Caleb was particularly potent

thank you Matt Mercer for my life 💕

[shrugsinchinese]

Doodles for the wonderful fic The Heart External by @beatriceeagle!! Give it a read, it’s so good

[wyvernspirit]

Wish there was more fics that explored the fact that residuum comes from Whitestone

Cause let's be honest "Percival tortured as a teenager Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III" would NOT be happy to find out Trent Bitchface is using Whitestone resources to torture teenagers

I also just want to see Percy and the Blumenthal trio (and Beau) talk 👉👈

I like seeing my fav characters interact with each other sue me

[feuerwizard]

for @sanguisarcana || scourger bren (baldur's gate 3 verse)

It had been years since Bren set foot upon the bustling streets and felt the blistering sunlight of Baldur's Gate's undercity. Air thick with the scent of spices and sweat as people bustle about their daily lives, their voices blending into a cacophony of noise around him. Despite the chaos—or perhaps because of it—it is surprisingly easy for Bren to blend in and go unnoticed amongst crowds. Though rumors of past mind flayer attacks and dragon sightings still linger in the minds of those along the Sword Coast, such things have little relevance to the task at hand.

Fashion Couture.

Nestled along the western side of Baldur's Gate, sits a quaint clothing shop with its elegant windows closed shut and adorned by billowing curtains. Bren straightens his shirt and brushes away the dirt from his pants before running a hand through his unruly mop of short ginger hair. With a huff of a sigh, he enters the shop, filled with rows of neatly displayed garments and the sweet scent of perfumes and fabrics.

Cerulean eyes clock him immediately, like a predator tracking its prey, a pale elf with snow-white curls upon his head. Bren boldly strides towards him, clearing his throat to announce his presence before approaching any closer. “Hallo,” he greets the elf, accent thick but full of faux charm, “I am looking for a new coat… I don’t suppose you would be able to help with that?”

[hopelessbren]

i really wish i didn’t have social anxiety, like why tf am i so nervous to even just send an ask to a mutual. bitch grow some balls.

[thehardkandy]

i think i need to be incorporating more alien psychology. i find i have really loved in books this feeling of like.... when two characters not only are culturally different but are also literally biologically wired (due to literally evolving on separate planets) to feel incongruous emotions or even completely alien emotions

it's just soooo fun like sorry this creature feels something deeply to their soul and their entire relationship to you revolves around it, but you can only ever see that feeling for the analytical outside perspective. you have to use logic to understand their emotion. which makes any extension of trust between these two people such a wild wild fun experience

[wizardnuke]

yalls tags on the caleb astrid post are all SO spot on thank you for understanding the uh. canon that was given to us. not saying that anyone doesnt. but i am.

[brennacedria]

Left work early. Drove to my psychiatrist's office without an appointment. I assumed correctly that he's still not seeing patients after an injury earlier in the week, but at least I could leave a message. (No one checks messages in the office, you have to show up.) Anyway leave my in-person message half crying that I think I need my meds reviewed/probably my pristiq increased. They wrote it down & said he'll call me in the morning. Now I'm home with two Ativan in me and a cat in my lap who keeps sneezing in my face

[notashrew]

Speaking of OCs

I was explaining about some of my old forgotten ocs to a friend this other day and was reminded the ones I used to hold close(-ish) (Sebastian, Moxel, Casper and Mortuus). And yeah sure I've been thinking about trying to redraw them just to see how much I've imporved in art skills (dunno about Casper and Mortuus tho since I haven't drawn dogs in ages ages ages).

But also got to thinking, how would Sebastian who was my dearest back in the day think and react if he saw me now? After what, years? How I've grown from when I was in secondary school, how I ended up and what am I now? How I'm now older than what I made him back when I was younger than him? Even if he wasn't there when I was having it hardest.

I think he'd be happy for me probably.

[coreofgold]

@ofxscavengcrs for Caleb

Jester was walking around, asking if she'd seen her friends when she stumbles upon a familiar face. "Thank the Traveler." She ran and hugged the other. "Caleb ! I found you"

[sassy-cass-16]

look man. look

essek saying "bren" out loud, claiming a position on caleb's side as the mouthpiece of his regards to astrid, did something to me. i can't tell if it opened a wound or punched me or gave me a hug. all i know is that i am feeling so many emotions right now

more under the cut because i'm about to get rambly:

"bren aldric ermendrud" is a separate character from caleb widogast. he's a young boy learning how to make magic. he's a deeply traumatized and indoctrinated teenager. he's the boy who curled up with astrid and eadwulf in a freezing tower for warmth all night.

essek never met bren. he met caleb and he's never known him as anyone else. if i'm remembering correctly, caleb never even said the name "bren" to him during the campaign, and neither did any of the nein.

essek knows caleb widogast. he knows the man who held up the object of his worst crime and then kissed him in the bowels of a ship and made a floor of infinite stars for them to walk through together. he knows the person who healed over bren's wounds—thinly, but enough. he knows the man that the boy has become.

astrid knows bren. she barely knows who caleb is. she still calls him bren after hearing him referred to as caleb repeatedly. she can't know him as the man he is, she only knows the boy. there's some of bren in caleb, but there is no caleb in bren.

essek saying "bren sends his regards" is him gauging astrid's reaction, on one level—if she freaks out, which she did, she's in opposition to caleb's cause and thus a threat. on another level, it's essek delivering a very different subtextual message from caleb: "the boy who loved you is giving you one final warning."

because essek is a threat to astrid. their last meaningful interaction was slinging spells at each other in the blooming grove. and that's funny in a "current boyfriend vs ex girlfriend exclusively fight each other" kind of way, but it's also deeply tied to caleb's recurring theme of transformation. "bren sends his regards" also means "i have healed enough to love enough for someone else to know this name and use it with my consent. and this someone else is your enemy. what does that make you think i've become?"

it also does a fantastic job of communicating subtle offscreen discussions that have happened over the years since the end of c2. we don't have the details of when or how caleb told essek his birth name, but we know that he did, and we know from all of c2 that the name bren occupies a place of immense emotional weight for caleb. it functions similarly to a deadname in terms of who uses it and for what purpose. trent exclusively calls caleb bren to wound him and place himself in a position of power. astrid calls him bren to remind both him and herself of who they used to be—same with eadwulf, though obviously he's not here.

the first time we hear essek say "bren" is on caleb's behalf and confronting one of the narrative representations of caleb's trauma. it's four words that manage to communicate "i, your enemy on a hundred levels, can speak for both the man i love and the boy who loved you, because i know him in his entirety."

astrid knows bren and essek knows caleb, but only essek can speak for both. because at some point, caleb gave bren to essek. and we know this from four words. four IMPROVISED words.

god. this moment is just so fucking good

[hello-eeveev]

I’m rotating the “his name is Bren, and he is very intelligent” scene in my head again, but not for the reason you think.

Essek’s vibes in that scene are very different compared the ostensibly similar interaction from episode 95: Essek makes passing reference to a partner, Bells Hells inquires further, Essek answers. But while his response in e95 exudes warmth and affection, now he is strangely… matter-of-fact? oddly serious? distracted? without apparent cause for this change.

I used the transcript version to label the scene, but in reality, the cadence is more like, “His name is Bren. And he is, um… very intelligent.” And during that pause, his brow furrows and he looks down, and his face stays there for the rest of the sentence and halfway into the next one.

I’m struggling to triangulate the tone of voice because it’s not quite dismissive, but it does seem like he is trying to sate their curiosity and be done with it, which is, again, quite unlike how he spoke about Caleb in e95.

Then he sighs and says, “I’m sorry. If my anxiety shows, there’s something about—I dislike not knowing what’s coming, especially given the stakes […]. There are few things I hate more than not knowing.” And I thought that was interesting because 1) relatable, but more importantly 2) he made a mental jump over the course of that sigh and I needed to know what it was.

It’s an easy enough conclusion to come to: his vibes were off because he was anxious. He’s anxious because he’s dealing with a lot of unknowns.

It’s a small character detail and it’s not new, but this instance of it has been spinning in my brain all day. Essek shutters himself a bit when he’s anxious and in new situations. He isn’t necessarily short in his answers and he doesn’t quite have a flat affect, but there is an emotional shuttering. I’m not sure if he’s cutting himself off from his emotions as well or just others—that could be an interesting facet to explore—but it makes him hard to read and he comes off weird. And I love it, it’s such a tasty character beat om nom nom nom

And! While I think it was pretty obvious that he was doing this conscious letting down of walls a lot as he befriended the m9, look at how quick he is now to articulate what’s happening and adjust accordingly! It’s still a little awkward and disjointed, but he’s been practicing over these seven years!!! I’m proud of him!!!!

[doublerainbow-if]

Double Rainbow

Double Rainbow is a romantic coming of age interactive fiction set in the city of Paris, France. The story follows you settling down after traveling around the world looking for your soulmate for years.

Rating 18+

Content Warnings: Abusive childhood, toxic relationships, and forced intimacy/love

Your folks weren't the picture-perfect image of a soulmate couple growing up. The bitterness and resentment staining what should have been a pure bond. At least that's what you were taught growing up. You wanted to believe in that idea of true love, a relationship that will complete you. That is what anybody needs in this world, though that's another you were told growing up.

Then it happened, it finally happened. A fleeting encounter on a highschool trip to the Big Apple. A mere brush of skin and suddenly your world was exploding in color. However your vision bleed back to monochrome just as fast. It was fleeting but that colorful vision and feeling wholeness will always stay with you. It was the driving force behind dropping everything after high school and taking off to New York. You had to find them.

It has been years now. Far longer than you were expected with how hard you tried to find them. Traveling all over the world to find that special someone, to see in color once again. You had wanted to give up so badly but you can't. This was suppose to be everybody's destiny, your happily ever after. Right?

Though maybe you can stop. Just for a while. Rest and savor life. That's what Lee always say to you since they joined you on your journey. You have a lifetime to find them, why not live your life too? Which lands you on the doorstep of one Mx. Jean Connoly, one of the most prolific art curators in Paris.

Play as male, female, or non-binary along with transgender choices

Interact with eight different characters, each unique in their own ways in this world of soulmates

Customized your appearance, personality, and special interests as you finally settled in for the first time since high school

Figured what kind of artist you are in Paris, France; a painter, scluptor, photographer, and many more

Navigate your way in this world where soulmates are the pinnacle in society while navigating the dark side behind the modern romancization

Connect with different characters who may or may not be your soulmate. You'll never know until you take that leap. But do you want that soulmate? Will you throw away your life's dream for somebody that wasn't predestined? You'll decided.

Myrtus/Mrytle "Elias/Eliza" Kouris-Henderson

26|Male/Female|Greek American|Rejected

Your old childhood friend that moved away in your freshman year. They were your safe haven growing up, keeping you away from the abusive environment in your home and being your best friend. Sometimes you wished that they were your soulmate but they found theirs abroad and like that they were gone. Now they're back in your life, a chance encounter when you arrived in Paris. But they seemed different, more sullen and moody than you remembered. The flower tattoos growing on their arms though tore your heart open. Their soulmate rejected them.

Tropes: Childhood Friends, First Love, Slow Burn, and Reunion

Leandro/Leandra "Lee" Hale

27|Male/Female|Brazilian|Unclaimed

Your best friend you made in New York City who joined you on your journey. You met them within your first week of being in the Big Apple and they were so enthralled by your quest that they had to join you. You never ask them if they also did it to find their own soulmate but they seem pretty happy just traveling around with you. They always kept grounded when you gotten close to giving up or going off the deep end. You couldn't ask for a better friend. But sometimes you see a spark of something unfamiliar in their eyes, what is it?

Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Secret Pining, Partners in Crime, and Angst

Brendan/Brenda "Bree/Bren" Ferrell

26|Male/Female|Irish American|Unclaimed

The cousin of your boss Jean Conolly who seems to follow you around like a puppy. They have very demure personality quite unlike their cousin but their smile is a sight to behold when you can see it. You don't why they taken such a liking to you but they are such a sweet and kind person. They're one of the first friends you made in the city and you wouldn't give them up for the world. They do freelancing as a book illustrator for publishers who you always see sketching in their notebook during your weekly hangouts. You wonder if they sketch you too?

Tropes: Puppy Love, Flustered/Obvilious, They Love You First, and Workplace Romance

Jean/Jeanne Conolly

30|Male/Female|African French Irish|Rejected

Your new boss since you decided to settled down in Paris. They have such an expressive and free attitude that reminds you a bit of Lee. But what drew you in was their dedication to their craft. Just that passion for art and displaying amazing creations, it's just awe inspiring. Especially since they saw you, a vagabond who showed up on their doorstep looking for work, and quickly took you under their wing. But the flower tattoos shouldn't be on them. Who would reject such an amazing person?

Tropes: Boss/Employee Romance, Best Friend's Brother, Forbidden Romance, and Second Chance at Love

Vincent/Vincenta Voog

28|Male/Female|Vietnamese French|Rejected

Your coworker who has branded you as their rival since you started at the gallery. Their burning focus and passion for their art is only matched by their utter arrogance and contempt for you. You don't know why they hate you for so much expect for their contast efforts to have Jean focus only on them. But there is something that slips through their haughty mask. The deep loneliness flashing in their eyes when a comment unexpectantly cut deep and quick sadness when they see the black marks that stain their hands.

Tropes: Rivals to Lovers, Angst, Miscommunication, and Against Destiny

Collin/Colette "Cole/Coco" Woods

28|Male/Female|Canadian|Unclaimed

Your coworker who has taken to being a thorn in your side. The best friend of V, they made it their mission to make you the new target of their jokes and pranks. A lazy person who somehow manages to create amazing marketing campaigns, they're confuse you so much. Heavily charismatic and charming, they can draw to customers to them like flies to honey and sell snake oil without a sweat. But the soft smile at the end of the work day and their relaxing atmosphere make you almost forget their childish antics. Almost.

Tropes: Work Romance, Bad Boy/Girl, Friends with Benefits, and Slow Burn

Avery Suman Ragda Remington

35|Male/Female|British Indian|Unclaimed

Your companion when you eat lunch at the cafe near the gallery. You noticed them out of the corner of your eye as you pick up your lunch every day at the cafe until you bumped into each other quite literally. Their easy going but mature attitude and friendly smile on their face as they caught you before you fall, it was perfect balm for such a hectic day you had. After that day, they became your lunch buddy. Talking about anything and everyhting and just letting yourself relax as they had such a calm prescence to them. You don't know however that they're the benefactor for the studio you work at.

Tropes: Billionaire Romance, Secret Indentity, Meet Cute, and Age Gap

Kahula Lennon 'Aukai

25|Male/Female|Hawiian|Rejected

The hottest musician in the underground scene. They have a magnetic and intense personality that can draw anybody to them including you after one of their concerts. It was just one time thing that only happen because the two of you crossed paths that night and quickly moved on. But they popped up in Paris for a break from their tour and lasered in on you. Could you take chance with one who has dozens before and after you? Even one who rejected their soulmate in order to become the star they are today?

Tropes: Starstruck, Playboy/Playgirl, One Night [You get to decide what happened that night], and Forbidden Love

[aeor-is-for-reccing]

Hidden Gems: A Shadowgast Rec List

This week, we have our recurring hidden gem list! Look under the cut for twelve great fics that have 150 kudos or less, and don't forget to kudos or comment if you like them!

Falling by CookiePirate51 (1805, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

In an alternate universe where the trip to Aeor between Caleb and Essek never happens, and they find their way to one another, anyway.

Reccer says: It's extremely sweet and atmospheric

The Legend of Widogast Manor by royalgreen (6620, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn

Essek is seeking magic and finds a mysterious manor, with an even more mysterious inhabitant

Reccer says: Two people in a secluded gothic manor, everyone's got secrets, and it's very sexy

Mirror Mirror by grassandcitrus (72276, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

After destroying the T-dock in the ruins of Aeor, Caleb and Essek are transported into an alternate timeline where Bren never broke and the Mighty Nein never met. Now they have to reassemble their friends inorder to get back home while also avoiding their alternate evil selves and navigate their complicated feelings for each other.

Reccer says: It gives a great insight as to what could have been if the M9 never came together. I love it and thinks it's very underated.

Lichtenberg Figures by Twistmalchik (1599, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Male Pregnancy, No one is actively pregnant in the fic, but past pregnancy is alluded to.

Caleb helps Essek find a way to relieve the ache in his chest after their daughter begins weaning.

Reccer says: I liked it!

mother/tongue by anxietiefling (1624, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb and Essek play with their daughters and speak to them in their first languages

Reccer says: It's beautiful, and has so many feelings about language, comprehension, loss, and migration.

the lovliest lies of all by royalgreen (1026, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

How do you rescue someone who doesn't want to be rescued? Essek doesn't know, but he's going to try.

Reccer says: It's very spooky and atmospheric and poetic and haunting

the hole in the stone by MinnesotaBruja (13243, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Death of a Pet

Essek takes a position as a lighthouse keeper on a remote island after Cognouza. During that time, he writes letters to Caleb.

Reccer says: The yearning is top tier and the ending is so sweet. It's an incredible story.

Dancing Cheek to Cheek by soot_and_salt (3871, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Ballroom dancing AU. Enough said

Reccer says: Sweet and full of yearning. A whirlwind little romance with Essek's arrogance and weariness colouring every interaction with Caleb. It's just so swoon worthy and the ending had me melting. Also nails that liminal hotel feeling.

foreign diplomacy by stygius (1087, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Graphic Depictions of Violence

The Shadowhand helps Bren Aldric Ermendrud dispose of his master.

Reccer says: Scourger AU! Killing Ikithon has never been this sexy... very fun to see the dance of mistrust and attraction between Bren and Essek here! there's a sequel too

castle-temp red wine by 06151126 (12759, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Part of a flawless and fascinating F1 racing AU, Essek invites Caleb to a fancy den dinner where everything falls apart

Reccer says: I don't know anything about F1 but this fic is so insanely compelling! The characterizations are perfect, the tension is thick, and I'm dying to see what happens next. If you like intricate, realistic AUs, definitely give this one a try!

when the cat’s away by Anonymous (3192, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn, Under negotiated scene, Getting caught

Caleb catches Essek in a bit of comprimising position when he comes home early.

Reccer says: It's a complicated situation for Essek and Caleb that is written in such a intriguing and engaging way! The dynamics are so well done. (Also it's very hot.)

in the heart of every galaxy by boynamedhela (1809, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb gets a series of gifts that feel more like threats.

Reccer says: It is very sweet take on cultural differences.

Aeor is for Lovers is an 18+ Shadowgast Discord server. The above fanfic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. All fics, unless otherwise specified, will primarily feature Shadowgast.

Check out the previous Hidden Gem Recs Lists here [1] [2] [3]

Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ! Next week, we'll have a list of humorous fics!

[heavenlyhischier]

ABBY could we have your blog recommendations?!

YES OF COURSE

this list might be long so i’m sorry 😭

@thatintrovertedwriter literally loves luke more than anyone i know. luke and izzie and jack and viv (her au’s) have my heart. bonus points that she’s my soulmate fr

@jostyriggslover96 she has a good jack series going right now and i love it!! love love her she’s my bff

@grandprixbarzal mat girlie and one of the best friends ever. absolutely the sweetest soul

@kelseys-version another one of my most favorite barzy girls! she’s got some phenomenal writing you should check out too

@ijustreallylovethem rae is literally one of the funniest people ever. love love her, she makes me laugh every day. she has some amazing au’s too.

@sweetestdesire brynn literally makes my jaw drop with her writing. it’s beautiful and eloquent and just amazing. i love her

@bedsyandco cami!! literally one of the sweetest humans ever and she has so many good au’s for nhl, umich, and bc college.

@girlwhosimps syd’s absolutely hilarious and she’s really sweet

@brenbrissonwhore if you’re into Bren, ellie is your girl without a doubt.

@ladylooch seriously has the best au’s i’ve seen. absolutely amazing. i love her and all of her stuff. she’s also super kind and i love seeing her on my feed!!

@mads-28 she’s always been so kind to everyone and i love seeing her commentary on reblogs and what not. always makes me smile.

@swissalbanianmiss she’s super sweet and has a lot of really good fics!! very very genuine and i adore her so much

@prettyboywoll super super sweet! she’s nothing but kind to everyone and she also has some good au’s and other writings!

@rowdygoose annie!!! she’s super sweet and very interactive i love it so much

@prettyinsatiable i love mckenna so much. she makes my day when i see her on my blog or in my notifs

@ithinkimokeei has a super good mat series going right now!! she’s so sweet and so fun as well<3

@fiapartridge super talented writer! love seeing her on the dash <3

@sunkissed-zegras ev is seriously so sweet and literally so talented i absolutely adore her writing and seeing her on my feed

@sc0tters amber works so hard on all of her stuff and she’s amazing!!

this is all i can think off of the top of my head right now 😭

[critter-genfic-events]

Canon Divergent AU Recs!

This week, we have canon divergent AU recs! A dozen different what-ifs to explore below the cut - and as ever, if you like them, remember to comment or kudos!

Catch A Falling Star by Rainydaydecaf (32921,Mature) Warnings: Feeblemind Pairings: Beauregard Lionett/Yasha Nydoorin, Essek Thelyss & The Mighty Nein

The Nein find a feebleminded Essek down in the sewers along with the beacon.

Reccer says: It's got a great spotlight on each of the Mighty Nein as they interact with the feebleminded drow - from Fjord babysitting him and Kiri to Beau giving him a haircut - and feels true to the characters and the world

pressure cracks by BananasofThorns (10271,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Fjord & Caleb Widogast

Fjord is a student at Solstryce Academy. Professor Ermendrud requests a private meeting with him.

Reccer says: It's got echoes of Fjord and Caleb's dynamic in the pirate arc, combined with scourger Bren

The Star and the Wildflower by devil_seabird_king (ShaaKi) (8173,Teen) Warnings: suicidal thoughts Pairings: Caduceus Clay & Essek Thelyss

A young Essek is becomes friends with a young Caduceus Clay

Reccer says: This is a combination that doesn't get enough love, so it's fun to imagine what they'd be like as childhood friends

A Whisper On My Shoulder by EssayofThoughts (251169,Mature) Warnings: Major Character Death Pairings: none

Percy's not the only member of his family to survive the Briarwoods' attack. He's just the only one to do so alive.

Reccer says: A true epic that imagines Cassandra as a ghost by Percy's side throughout the initial parts of Vox Machina's journey. Amazingly well thought out

some ever after no one could predict by QueenWithABeeThrone (15343,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Leofric/Una Ermendrud

Over thirty years ago, Una Ermendrud went into the Feywild and met a satyr named Garmelie. thirty years later, Caleb reunites with his godfather.

Reccer says: I love how practical Una is in this, and how that practicality cuts through the feywild magic.

both my broken hands are true by quothhh (1805,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Veth Brenatto & Caleb Widogast

In a world where Yeza was taken by the goblins instead of Veth, Caleb and Veth manage to meet anyway.

Reccer says: It's got some killer lines and also a great example of the Caleb and Veth friendship

watch my back, and keep the blade by jadeandquartz (3553,Mature) Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death Pairings: Orym & Imogen Temult

Laudna permanently dies. Imogen and Orym head after Otahan for revenge

Reccer says: An amazing bit of angst

You Think You Can Rid Yourself Of Me So Easily? by sparklegem (3724,Mature) Warnings: Hurt no Comfort Pairings: none

Percy's cursed weapon is not as easy to get rid of as they think.

Reccer says: I liked it

to know that this war was winless by quanshi (burningdarkfire) (834,Teen) Warnings: none Pairings: Beauregard Lionett & Caleb Widogast

Beauregard meets Bren for lunch

Reccer says: I love scourger Bren vs. Beauregard fics, and this is a lovely little taste

The Fool and the Soldier by mare_astrorum (200,000+,Mature) Warnings: None Pairings:

Mollymauk Tealeaf survived the Mighty Nein's encounter with the Iron Shepherds on Glory Run Road, but a short time later, a spirit began hunting him, claiming that he stole his body.

Reccer says: One of the most insane things Matt dropped during the wrap-up was where the campaign might have gone had Molly survived. This is such a wonderful exploration of the concept of the Tombtakers as reoccurring enemies and Molly still with the party that is wonderfully IC, extremely detailed, and a lot of fun. It's going to be a long one and it's ongoing, so buckle in.

Magic Jar by Anonymous (3211,Teen) Warnings: none Pairings: none

The mighty nine, if Caleb was a soul in a magic jar

Reccer says: It's a fascinating premise and an amazing thing to think about

you'll let it go by pigflight (1590,Teen) Warnings: major character death Pairings: Delilah Briarwood & Laudna

What if Delilah convinced Laudna to take the shard?

Reccer says: wonderfully angsty and delicious

If you liked this rec list, follow along for more! We'll be posting a new list with a new theme each Monday. Want to make your own recs? Check out use this form to submit!

Next week, we're featuring your featuring explorations of grief, in all forms. It'll also be a day late, as next Monday is Christmas.

After that, we'll Pike Trickfoot, mysteries, and then monsters.

If you're looking for some more, check out some fics written in the critter genfic bingo tag, or the older rec lists! Or you can request your own card and join in on the fun!